The 10 happiest jobs

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Since experts say that social interaction drives job satisfaction, it makes sense that clergy are happiest of all, according to a General Social Survey by the National Organization for Research at the University of Chicago. Pictured here on July 21, Patricia Wilson heads the pastor services at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Fla., and as a reservist she ministers to military personnel as well. Marice Cohn Band/Miami Herald/MCT/Newscom/File

We spend most of our waking hours working. Eighty percent of firefighters are "very satisfied" with their jobs, which involve helping people. Rob Flores, a Largo firefighter, carries Adam Walker out of his house in Clearwater, Fla., in 1997. Zuma Press/Newscom/File

Being an author pays off better for some people than others, but you can't beat the autonomy of writing down the contents of your own mind. Here, J.K. Rowling, author of the wildly successful 'Harry Potter' series, holds a book signing in Brookline, Mass., in 1999. John Nordell/Staff/File

For those who are going after bliss instead of bucks, a job as special education teacher might be a happy profession. The annual salary averages just under $50,000. Marcia Rayl teaches a special education class at Arcola Elementary School in Arcola, Ind., in 2004. Dean Musser Jr./Journal Gazette/AP/File

Teachers in general are reportedly happy with their jobs, although some would beg to differ in light of current issues with education funding and classroom conditions. The profession continues to attract young idealists like Lee Walter, a teacher at Brandywine Heights Middle School in Topton, Pa., pictured here on Aug. 29. Mr. Walter left a job at a financial planning firm to become an educator. Lauren A. Little/Reading Eagle/AP

Sculptors and painters report high job satisfaction, although the 'starving artist' stereotype is off-putting for many would-be creative types. Working in her home studio in Memphis, Tenn, on Aug. 9, sculptor Andrea Lugar is nearly finished with a clay statue of Memphis Belle namesake Margaret Polk which will be cast in bronze later this week by her husband and fellow artist Larry Lugar. Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal/AP/File

It seems counterintuitive that listening to people tell you about their problems all day would lead to occupational happiness, but psychologists made the list. Newscom/File

Sixty-five percent of financial services sales agents are happy with their jobs. That could be because some of them are clearing more than $90,000 dollars a year on average for a 40-hour work week in a comfortable office environment. Janessa Hanna, who works at iProducts Services Group, a financial services firm, answers questions about the US job market in Boston, Mass., on Aug. 16. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff

Operating engineers get to play with giant toys like bulldozers, front-end loaders, backhoes, scrapers, motor graders, shovels, derricks, large pumps, and air compressors. With more jobs for operating engineers than qualified applicants, no wonder they are happy. Newscom/File